NFC Championship Game Predictions: Why the Eagles Upset the Vikings

The NFC Championship game is not getting enough attention, but there is every reason to believe it will be the best game of the weekend. The Minnesota Vikings and the Philadelphia Eagles are two of the best teams in the league and both could go to the Super Bowl. But ever since Tom Brady’s injury was announced and changed point spreads all over Vegas, the Patriots and the Jaguars are getting all of the attention. That is about to change because it’s to take a look at the NFC Championship game predictions and why the Eagles can upset the Vikings.

When betting on the NFL, especially the big games like the NFC Championship game, the public likes to show up and wager on the game. It has been proven that is you bet against the public the right way, you win more times than you lose. That is good news for the Philadelphia Eagles. After the last second win over the New Orleans Saints, the public is betting on the Vikings to win the NFC Championship and become the first team to play a Super Bowl on their own field.

Money is On the Eagles

The public may be betting on the Vikings, but the people with deep pockets are betting on the Eagles. The point spread in the NFC Championship game opened up at (-3.5) and it is now at (-3). The line move is triggered by money. The public may be betting on Vikings, but the money is on the Eagles to fly high at home. When I am making NFC Championship game predictions, I always like to be on the same side as the smart money.

No Respect for the Dog

The Eagles have enough bulletin board material for this game. First they were once again listed as home underdogs. This is despite the fact that they have one of the best records in the league. They just beat the Falcons as home dogs. The Eagles are 4-0 straight as home underdogs in the Super Bowl era.

If that wasn’t enough, the NFL provided more disrespect for the Eagles. The NFL posted on Facebook on Friday that the Vikings and Patriots would be going to the Super Bowl. This was called a “regrettable mistake” by the NFL, but it did anger Philly fans. Just another reason the Eagles will be motivated to be at their best on Sunday.

Trends Say So

When looking to make the NFC Championship game predictions, sometimes trends say a lot. The Eagles play well at home and are 12-5 against the spread (ATS) and 14-3 straight up (SU) at home over the past two seasons under Doug Pederson. The Vikings are 1-4 ATS and 0-5 SU in their past five NFC Championship Games and 2-8 ATS in their 10 games as a favorite against the Eagles during the Super Bowl era.

NFC Championship game predictions

The Vikings are a much different team on the road then they are at home. The Vikings offense has averaged just 329 yards per game on the road as opposed to 387 yards per game at home. The offensive line allowed 20 sacks on the road during the regular season and just seven at home. The Eagles defense is getting stronger and stronger as the season goes along. This includes being one of the best units in the league at stopping teams on third down. All the talk is about Case Keenum, but Nick Foles and the Eagles will steal the show.